Belfast’s Steven Ward will meet Kazakhstan’s double world silver medallist Kamshybek Kunkabayev on an MTK Fight Night at the Tynyshpayev Academy of Transport and Communications in Almaty on February 27.
It’s a big test for Ward (13-1, 4 KOs) on away soil as he looks to make moves in the cruiserweight division, having previously struggled with the weight down at 175lbs – culminating in a one-round loss to Ricards Bolotniks in a Golden Contract quarter-final in December 2019. Ward’s debut at cruiser resulted in a straightforward six-round points win over Jone Valau last September.
At 29, southpaw Kunkabayev (2-0, 2 KOs) has no time to waste as he hopes to make a quick mark on the pro game. A fight against the capable and more experienced Ward is a real statement of his intent.
In other action, Kazakh middleweight contender Janibek Alimkhanuly (9-0, 5 KOs) will fight in his home country for the first time since 2017 as he closes in on a world title shot.
Meanwhile, Nurtas Azhbenov (10-0, 4 KOs) meets Evgeny Smirnov (13-1-3, 3 KOs) for the WBC Asia Continental lightweight title whilst former Armenian Olympian Hovhannes Bachkov (1-0) takes part in his second pro contest.
Also on the card, touted 154-pounder Talgat Shayken (3-0, 2 KOs) steps up against ex-Russian champion Evgeny Pavko (18-3-1, 13 KOs) while Nurdos Tolebay (4-0, 1 KO), Ali Baloyev (10-0, 7 KOs) and Abay Tolesh (6-1, 4 KOs) appear against selected opposition.
